Class 1b:
Introduction to maps
What is a map?
• A generalized view of an area, usually some
portion of Earth’s surface, as seen from
above at a greatly reduced size
• Any geographical image of the environment
• A two-dimensional representation of the
spatial distribution of selected phenomena
Why make maps?
• To represent a larger area than we can see
• To show a phenomenon or process we can’t
see with our eyes
• To present information concisely
• To show spatial relationships
How do we read maps?
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Maps are selective views of reality
Size of the map relative to reality (scale)
What’s on the map (symbolization)
Shape of the map (projection)
Politics of the map
Map scale
• Ratio of the distance on the map to the
distance on the ground
• Scale is a fraction
• Larger area covered means larger
denominator
• Larger denominator means smaller fraction
• So a large-scale map covers a small area
Map scale
• Ratio of the distance on the map to the
distance on the ground
1. Graphic:
• Stays the same when photocopied
• Might not be right for the whole map
Map scale
2. Verbal:
1 inch equals 10 miles
• Easy to understand
• Can change if photocopied
Map scale
3. Representative fraction or ratio:
1:24,000
• Units don’t matter
• Can change if photocopied
Map symbolization
• Symbols are a code instead of text
• Three kinds: point, line, area
• Consider shape, size, orientation, pattern,
color, value
Point symbols
• Every symbol counts as one occurrence
• Qualitative points
– Indicate location
– Can also describe that location
• Quantitative points
– Show a distribution
– Indicate a value (graduated symbols)
Line symbols
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One-dimensional
Mostly taken for granted (borders, roads)
Isolines connect same values
Flow-line maps indicate value by width of
line
Area symbols
• Each territory or region has one value
• Differences in kind
• Differences in value
– Choropleth maps
– Usually, darker indicates more
• Cartograms distort area to show value
Politics of maps
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Remember that maps are selective
What counts as a country’s borders?
What’s “east” or “west”?
Depends on who’s drawing the map
Topographic maps
• Also called quadrangles
• Nearly 54,000 for the U.S.
• Done by the US Geological Survey
(USGS) since 1897
• Map out the entire country in a standard
fashion
Topographic maps
• Till the 1940s, you climbed to the highest
point and plotted what you could see from
there
• Aerial photography after WWII
• Two overlapping photos are put in a
stereoscope
• 10 photos for each 7.5 minute map
Topographic maps
• Show 2D features, point, line and area;
also show 3D via contour lines
• Common symbols are in the appendix of
the text
• Note the contour interval at the bottom of
the map